📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Kentucky · 17.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$75,098
per year
Median
$70,782
per year
Hourly
$36.1
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,260
25th Percentile — Junior$62,731
50th Percentile — Median$70,782
75th Percentile — Senior$97,541
90th Percentile — Top Earners$111,088
💡 Top-earning Captain and Pilot of Water Vesselss in Kentucky make up to $111,088 per year. The job market in Kentucky is rated moderate, with key industries including Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$66.4k
2021
$68.0k
2022
$69.7k
2023
$71.5k
2024
$73.3k
2025
$75.1k
2026
📈 Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels salaries in Kentucky have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in Kentucky's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels Salary by City in Kentucky
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Louisville $63,082 -16.0% Medium
Lexington $63,082 -16.0% Medium
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Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky is home to a moderate job market for Captain and Pilot of Water Vesselss. The state's key industries — Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $75,098 per year, Kentucky's Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Kentucky (index: 0.83) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Kentucky can expect to earn $47,260–$62,731, while experienced Captain and Pilot of Water Vesselss can command $97,541–$111,088.

Looking ahead, the Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels profession in Kentucky is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Manufacturing continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels salary in Kentucky is $75,098 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $90,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Captain and Pilot of Water Vesselss the highest wages in Kentucky due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Kentucky has a moderate job market with major industries in Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture. Opportunities exist in for Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels employment.
  • At $75,098/year, Kentucky Captain and Pilot of Water Vessels salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $90,480/year.